Steeping apparatus.



F. L. JEFFERIES. STEEPING APPARATUS. 1111 110111011 rum) 31m, 1911.

Patnted N0v.7, 1911.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

F. L. JBFFERIES. STEEPING AIPARATUS. APPLIOATIOIF PILEDIBB. e, 1911 Patented Nov. 7, 1911.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

"UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

FBEDRIGK LESTER JEFFERIES, OF GRANITE CITY ILLINOIS, ASSIG-NOR TO CORN. PRODUCTS REFINING COMPANY, A CORPORATION OF NEW JERSEY.

STEEPING APPARATUS.

- Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed February 6, 1911.

' Patented Nov. '7, 1911.

Serial No. 606,894.

, State of Illinois, have invented certain new and, useful Improvements in steeping Apparatus, of which the following is a-specification.

My invention relates to apparatus suitable particularly for steeping grain in the manufacture of starch from corn; and. the invention has for its object to provide certain new and improved arrangements and devices in apparatus of this character.

The familiar manner of steeping grain, in order to soften it before it goes to the mills and extract therefrom certain soluble substances which are valuable as byproducts, is to introduce the steeping liquid, ordinarily a dilute sulfurous acid, mto the steep tanks containing the grain and allow it to remain in contact with the grain until the latter has been rendered sufliciently soft, whereupon it is withdrawn and sent to the evaporators. This method is objectionable because in the first place a large proportion of the soluble substances are not removed from the corn and are consequently lost. Furthermore, the

' very considerable amount of time. With a View to obviatin these objections a system of steeping has con devised in which the steepingliquid isrun in a continuously flowing stream, at a slow rate of speed, through a serious of steeps which are one by one cut out of the circulatory system, emptied of their grain, refilled with fresh grain, and thereu on cut into the system again; the flow o the liquid through the steeps being so directed that when introduced it flows first through the longest steeped corn, then to the next fresher bod and so on until it is withdrawn out of t e system from the tank containing the last batch of fresh corn added.

The resent invention provides .a novel form 0? steeping apparatus in which the steep water instead of being kept for the whole steeping period on one body of corn,

.as was the case under the old system, is

passed through the steeps successively. 'In

this regard. it follows the method of the contlnuous system'which has been recently devised, as above described. The system of the present invention, however, instead of em- -ploying a stream of steep water flowing continuously from one steep directly into the next from one end of the battery to the other, fills the steeps successively with separate bodies of steep water, allows such bodies of liquid to stand for some considerable period of time on the bodies of corn with which they are thus brought into contact, and periodically shifts these bodies of liquid from one steep to the other, draining the liquid completely out of thesteeps, in each case, before the new liquid is introduced therein. With apparatus which has the capacity for operation in this manner, separate circulations may be set up in each individual steep during the periods of time in which a given body of liquid remain'si'n such steep, these separate circulations tending to thoroughly agitate the corn and bringing the water in intimate contact with every kernel thereof. Moreover, the apparatus, for a steeping system operating according to this plan, may be comparatively simple and economical in' its construction.

'One of the primary objects of the invention, therefore, is to provide apparatus suitable for carrying on the steeping operation onthe plan above outlined.

A. further subsidiary object of the invention is to rovide a form of apparatus in which the I? if desirable, into a plurality of separate banks or series of steeps, the steeps of the separate banks or series being so connected, amon' themselves, with the source of supply o steep water and with the instrumentalities for making the changes from one steep to another, that the changes of liquid from one steep to another may be made entirely as between the several steeps of the shifts can be made first in one bank and then in the other. This is desirable in the case of" a large installation because if the water had to be chan ed from every steep to the next one throug out the whole series, the steeps attery of steeps may be divided,

which are necessarily out for the purpose of grinding and refilling would remain out for an unnecessarily long interval at each cycle and time would therefore be wasted.

The invention has for further objects such other new and improved arrangements and devices in apparatus for removing the soluble substances from materials and for concentrating thederived liquor, as will be hereinafter more fully described and claimed.

The invention is shown, somewhat diagrammatically in. a preferred form of apparatus, in the accompanying drawings wherein Figure l is a plan View, and Fig. 2, an end elevation with certain parts shown in section.

Like characters of reference indicate like parts in both figures of the drawings.

Referring to the drawings, 1 to 12 inclusive designate a battery of steep tanks of any suitable familiar construction the battery being preferably divided into two banks of six tanks each with the odd numbered tanks in one bank and the even numbered in k the other. 7

A and B designate two change cisterns; C a discharge tank in which the concentrated liquor is received, and D a wash water tank, which will be used in the event that the steeped grain is to be washed before it goes to the mills. This is not necessary under all circumstances.

E and F designate sulfur tanks supplied froma tank G having valved discharge pipes g, g. 4

H andI designate conveyers, which are conventionally represented, and are located under, respectively, the two banks of steeptanks, these conveyers being adapted to carry off the steeped grain to the mills. The odd numbered steeps will be referred-to as the first bank and the even numbered steeps as the second bank. I

The sulfur water, or other suitable steeping liquid, is conducted from the tanks E or F. through branch pipes e, f and a pipe J having valved branches j, j ,et cetera, discharging into the several steep tanks respectively. A' pipe-K having the two feeders L and M for respectively the firstand second-bank of steeps conducts the liquor from the steeps to either one of the change cisterns A and B, or. to

the discharge tank C, as may be desired; the pipe K being provided with the discharge nozzlesls, k, k discharging into respectively cisterns A and B and tank C. Each steep tank has a circulating pipe for conducting the liquid from the bottom of the tank back to the top. This arrangement is shown in Fig. 2 in which tanks 11 and 12 are shown as provided with the circulating pipes N and N into which open the branch pipes n, n from the bottomof the respective steeps. Pumps 0, O are interposed in the circulating pipes N, N rethrough a valved pipe (l.

spectively. The circulating pipes are connected respectively with feeders L and M by the valved pipes P P respectively. It will be understood that similar arrangements exist with respect to the other steeps. Q is a pipe fed by a pump R from change cisterns A and B, the pump having the two valve controlled inlets r and 1" leading from the change cisterns respectively. The wash water from tank D enters change cistern B takes the liquid from the discharge tank C to the evaporators (not shown) or elsewhere, as may be desired. Pipe Q has the two branches S and T extending over the respective banks of steepsand discharging into the same through valved discharge pipes s, s s, s, 8 and 19*, t, t, t", 23 t", respectively.

A pump 0 and c" The temperature of the steeps is maintaincd at the desired point by theintroduction of steam (from a source not shown) into the circulating pipes designated, in the case of steeps 11 and 12 shown in Fig. 2, U and U respectively. The other steeps are similarly supplied with steam. The steeps have the valve controlled grain discharges as, for example, the discharge spouts.

V11, V controlled by valves 4;, a)", as shown in F 1g. 2.

It will be understood that if desired the apparatus mightconsist of a larger number of banks of steeps than the two shown; .and furthermore, that if desired, the entire battery might be operated serially instead of being divided into banks. The number of tanks will of course depend upon the amount of the material to be treated at any one time. I

With the apparatus constructed and .ar-

ranged as above described the various manipulations necessary for carrying out the operation of steeping grain may be described as performed in cycles. In each cycle the corn in one steep of each bank fimshes its steeping operation and such steep is cut out of the system ready for grindin and another steep reviousl y cut out is filled with corn and ad edto the system. In each cycle the steep liquid in each steep tank is shifted to the next tank of its series or bank.- Therefore with the given battery of twelve steeps arranged in two banks as shown,'the various operations constituting a given cycle may be performed in ten periods dividedinto two half cycles of five periods each.- During the first half cycle the steep wateris changed on onebank of stee s. It is changed on the other during the ollowing half cycle.

Assuming'that the operation has been carried on for suflicient time to brin the whole batter of steeps into operation, t edescription 0 the several operations making up one cycle may be commenced with the stee s in the following condition: 1 has just fimshed steepmg, the steep water has been withdrawn and the corn therein is ready to go tothe mills. 12 is just ground out. 2 has tanks E and F through pipe J and branch pipe 7' Tanks 5, 7, 9 and 11 stand filled with bodies of steep water which are not changed during this half cycle. Separate circulations may, I, however, be maintained through these steeps during this interval and also through all of the other steeps during all of the intervals in which they are filled with the steeping liquid. If the corn in 1 is to be washed before going to the mills fresh' water is pumped onto 'it from the cistern B filled, as shown, from tank I). This can be done at any convenient time during the half cycle or the latter part of the previous cycle. The water may be drained off, at a convenient time, into tank 0 and thence removed.

First perz'0ol.-Steep 12, which was empt at the beginning of the cycle, is filled wit a fresh corn in any suitable manner. 10 drains to tank C. 10 contains the freshest corn in the second bank and the oldest steep water- 'which is then withdrawn from the system to the evaporators. The steep liquor in 8\ goes to change cistern A. 8 contains the,

. next freshest corn and the next oldest steep out.

water. Steep's 6, 4 and 2 are unchanged.

Second period.--The steep liquid in A just received from 8-goes to tank 12 which is filled, or has just been filled, with fresh corn. Thet'steep water in 6 goes to B, the

other change cistern. Steeps 4 and',2- are filled with steep water which is unchanged. 10 and 8 stand without any liquid in them.

Third peri0d.-The steep water in B just filled-from 6-g0es to steep 10. The steep water in 4 goes to A. 2 and 12 steep without, change. 8 and 6 stand emptied of liquid.

Fourth peri0ol.The steep water in A just filled from 4-goes to steep 8. The liquid in 2 goes to B. 12 and 10 stee without change. 4 and 6 stand emptied 0 liquid.

Fifth period-The steep water 'in B- just filled from 2-goesto 6. 12, 10 and 8 steep without change. 2 is ready-t0 grind 4 is emptied of its steep liquid and stands ready for fresh sulfurwater during the first half of thenext cycle.

scribed first half cycle the steep liquid is shifted from each one of the tanks of the second bank to the second succeeding tank. The grain-longest steeped is cut out of the system ready for grinding, the oldest batch of steep water withdrawn from the system, and the next oldest batch put on the fresh batch of grain.

Second half 0y0Ze.The grain in steep 2 goes to the mills-after first having been Washed with fresh water as above described in connection with steep 1 when this opera tion is necessary4 receives fresh sulfur water from tank E or F. Tanks 12, 10, 8' and 6 steep withoutchange during the entire half cycle. I

Sixth perz'0d.1.is filled with corn-Hjust as 12 was filled during the previous half cycle11 drains to the discharge tank C. 11 contains the freshest grain in bank 1 and -the oldest steep water. The steep water in 9 goes to cistern A. 9 contains the next oldest steep water and the next freshest grain-in the first bank. 7, 5 and 3 steep without change.

Seventh perz'0d.-The steep water in A- or has just been filled, with fresh grain. The steep water in 7 goes to B. 5 and 3 steep without change. 11 and 9 stand emptied of liquid.

Eighth pem'0d.Steep water in Bjust .filled from 7goes to 11. The steep water in 5 goes to A. 3 and 1 steep without change. 9 and 7 stand empty of liquid.

Ninth period-The steep water in A just filled from 5-goes to 9. Steep water {in 3 goes to B. 1 and 11 steep without change. 7 and 5 stand emptied of liquid- Tenth period.--Steep water in B-just filled from 3goes to 7. 1, 11 and 9 steep without change. I 5 stands ready for fresh sulfur water which it will receive during the next half cycle, and 3 is ready to grind out during the next half cycle.

It ,will be seen that in the second half cycle, above described, the steep water on each of the tanks of the first bank is changed to the second succeeding tank; that the tank containing the oldest grain is cut out ready for grinding; that the most concentrated batch of steep water is withdrawnfrom the system; and that the next oldest batch of steep water is put on a body of fresh grain.

The steeping may be continued by cycles of operations corresponding to that above described. There is always one steep which is out out of the system for grindin and one which is out for the purpose of lling. The steeping proceeds in the rest of the steeps except for short periods of time neces-g one to, the next. 7

- While-I have showna referred construc- It will be seen that during the above detion and arrangement 0 the instrumentah just filled from 9-goes to 1 which is filling, I

sary for making the shift of liquor from 1 ities constituting my apparatus it will be obvious that some modification might be made thereinwithout departure from the inven-- tions on certain of the claims herein. I do not claim the process of steeping herein disclosed as this is made the subject matter of a co-pending application Serial No. 606,893 filed February 6, 1911.

I claim:

1. In apparatus of the character described, the combination with a plurality of steep tanks, of two change cisterns, means for withdrawing the liquid from .any of the steep tanks and introducing it into either one ofsaid cisterns and means, operable at the same time, for returning liquid from the I other cistern to any other tank of said series.

2. In apparatus of the character described, the combination witha plurality of steep tanks, of two change cisterns, aconduit leading to said change cisterns and .having branches leading out of said tanks, and a conduit leading from the change cisterns and having branches to said several steep tanks.

3. In apparatusof the character described, the combination with a plurality of steep tanks, of two change cisterns, a conduit leading to said change cisterns .and having branches leading out of said tanks, a conduit leading from the change cisterns and having branches to said several steep tanks, and a conduit haying branches to each of said tanks adapted to supply the same, as may be desired, with fresh liquid.

4. In apparatus of the character described,

the combination with a plurality of steep tanks, of two change cisterns, a'discharge tank, a conduit leading to said change cisterns and to said discharge tank, and having branches leading out of said steep tanks,

and a conduit leading from the'change cisterns and having branches to said several steep-tanks. e 5. In apparatus of the character described, the combination with a plurality of steep tanks, of two change clsterns, a conduit leading to said change cisterns and having branches leading out of said tanks, a conduit leading from the change cisterns and having branches to said several steep tanks, and means comprising a conduit leading froin the bottom of each of said steep tanks to the top thereof for maintaining separate circulations through said tanks individually.

6. In apparatus of the character described, the combination with a battery of steep tanks divided into a plurality of banks, of means for withdrawing liquid from any of the tanks in each of said banks and introducing the same into any other tank of said bank, means for withdrawing the concentrated liquid from said battery out of any tank, and means for introducing fresh steep liquid into any tank thereof.

7. In apparatus of the character described, the combination with a battery of steep tanks divided into two banks, of two change cisterns, a discharge tank, feeders extending one under each bank of steep tanks and being connected respectively with the several steep tanks of said bank, a discharge pipe connected with said feeders and provided with nozzles adapted to discharge into the change cisterns and discharge tank, a pipe provided ,with branches leading from said change cisterns respectively and with branches extending over said banks of steeps and adapted respectively to discharge into the several steeps of said banks, a steep water pipe provided with branches leading .to said several steeps, and means comprising a pipe leading from the bottom of each of the steeps into the top thereof for maintaining separate circulations through said steeps individually.

8. In apparatus of the character described, the combination with a plurality of steep tanks, of a source of supply of washing liquid, a conduit leading from said source of supply, means for connecting said conduit separately with said tanks, a plurality of change cisterns, a conduit adaptedto discharge into any of said cisterns as may be desired, means for connecting the tanks separately with said last mentioned conduit, another conduit adapted to conduct the liquor from any of said cisterns as may be desired, and means for connecting the same separately with said steep tanks.

FREDRICK LESTER JEFFERIES. \Vitnesses:

- F. M. SAYRE,

A. N. HOMAN. 

